ANALYSIS AND APPLICATION OF METHODS FOR DETERMINING INTERCALIBRATION INTERVALS OF MEASURING EQUIPMENT

Abstract

In this paper noted that one of the factors that ensures confidence in measurement results and determines metrological traceability is the calibration of measuring equipment (standards, measuring equipment, auxiliary equipment), which is carried out at certain time intervals - the calibration intervals. The calibration intervals is the period of time or time elapsed between two successive calibrations of the measuring equipment. Determining the maximum allowable period that should elapse between two periodic calibrations of measuring equipment is very important in maintaining the ability of calibration and testing laboratories to obtain reliable and metrologically traceable measurement results. The necessity and term of re-calibration of measuring equipment used in calibration and testing laboratories is determined by their owner (user). At the same time, the validity period of the calibration certificate is not specified (except for cases when, with the consent of the applicant for calibration work, the recommended term of the next calibration is specified in the certificate). For working standards that are used during the calibration of measuring equipment operating and used in the field of legally regulated metrology, the inter-calibration intervals are established in accordance with the Procedure for calibration of secondary and working standards, approved by the order of the Ministry of Development of Ukraine dated 10.08.2020 No. 1518. It is noted that the following methods can be used to determine the calibration interval of measuring equipment: automatic adjustment or "stairs"; control cards; work time; checking during operation or "black box" testing; other statistical approaches. Information on determining the primary calibration interval for measuring equipment is given, as well as the given methods of its determination are considered. Based on practical experience, when determining the inter-calibration interval, the method of automatic adjustment or "steps" is often used, in particular for measures of physical quantities. Calculations were made and the results of determining the calibration intervals for the measure of the length of the type IV bar were given.